Socio-cultural determinants of girl-child defilement in Rongo sub-county, Migori county, Kenya

Abstract

Girl-child defilement is a common sexual crime whose victims experience anguish, undesired pregnancies, and STDs. The society has a role of protecting the girl-child from defilement and its-related physical and mental health implications. The United Nations Convention on Children’s Rights and Children‘s Act of 2022 in Kenya were put in place to safeguard the rights of a child by providing legislation to ensure that the girl child‘s rights are protected. Despite the legal frameworks and policies in place, an increment of 36.71% of the cases of girl-child defilement was reported in Kenya between 2017 and 2018. Rongo sub-county, where the study was conducted, reported an average of 60 cases of girl-child defilement per year, a scenario attributed to socio-cultural dynamics of residents. This study, therefore sought to investigate the socio-cultural determinants of child defilement. Specifically, to examine the perceptions regarding girl-child defilement, establish the risk factors of the girl child defilement, and determine the values that influence girl-child defilement. Feminist Theory of Criminology guided the study. The study adopted mixed-method approach and cross-sectional survey design. A sample of 245 household heads was selected from a population of 29,087 using Cochran’s sample size formula. Four locations with the highest populations were purposively selected. Proportionate and random sampling was used to select household heads in each location. Purposive sampling was used to select key informants comprising 2 caregivers to victims of girl-child defilement, 4 officers from other government agencies that handle girl-child defilement cases. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires distributed and a response rate of 92.65% realised. Qualitative data was collected using key informant interviews and focused group discussions. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. Quantitative data were subjected to descriptive and inferential analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics V25.0 software. Frequency distribution and percentages were used to summarize the data. Chi-Square and Cramer’s V test was used to reveal relationships between variables, and the analysed qualitative data was presented in narrative form while quantitative data analysed was illustrated using bar charts and bar graphs. The study concluded that there was a significant relationship between the level of education and awareness of girl-child defilement and when subject to Cramer’s V test, it revealed a relatively strong association. There was a significant relationship between area of residence and level of awareness of girl-child defilement with Cramer’s V test indicating a weak association. There was no significant association between family and community risk factors and girl-child defilement or between the values and girl-child defilement. The study recommends that the National Government Officers should continuously sensitize the community on girl-child defilement. The Department of Social protection should improve economic empowerment programs targeting vulnerable households in the community. The National Crime and Research Centre should develop crime prevention programs targeting the young men with focus on those in the Boda Boda industry.